One of the reasons behind the emergence of obesity as the No. 1 threat to kids’ health is more evident now, as a new study by the British Heart Foundation reveals that majority of children living in inner-city areas are not getting enough exercise. Researchers rolled out this conclusion after speaking to about 3,500 pupils from white and south-Asian backgrounds at five secondary schools in Leicester.
As per the findings of this report:
• More than half of schoolchildren admitted that they used to watch TV or play computer games for more than four hours everyday.
• On the contrary, the number of kids, participating in exercise at break or walking to school was less than half.
• Level of physical inactivity was highest among girls, as only 12% of the girls admitted that they did some kind of physical activity at break time.
Facts, looming out of this study are bleak, as they show that how badly kids are being exposed to health problems like childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. However, what makes experts more anxious is the fact that South Asians have been found at a 50% higher risk of death form heart disease than the rest of the population. However, this growing trend of physical inactivity, especially among kids is not only to be found in England but around the globe. Have a look at such studies, showing the fast growing trend of physical inactivity among kids:-
• Irish kids not exercising enough
• 3-year olds not exercising enough
Moreover, we should not forget that kids are the only to blame for physical inactivity, as physical inactivity is growing with equal pace among in adults also, which points to quite a serious threat lurking ahead to hit this world hard both physically as well as financially. Following is an estimate showing health care expenditures attributible to physical inactivity in Minnesota:
So, if this is the situation of country like Minnesota, so what situation is prevailing round the globe could easily be understood. The growing trend of physical inactivity is further undraped by the following facts of the World Health Organization:
• Appropriate regular physical activity is a major component in preventing the growing global burden of chronic disease.
• At least 60% of the global population fails to achieve the minimum recommendation of 30 minutes moderate intensity physical activity daily.
• The risk of getting a cardiovascular disease increases by 1.5 times in people who do not follow minimum physical activity recommendations.
• Inactivity greatly contributes to medical costs - by an estimated $75 billion in the USA in 2000 alone.
• Increasing physical activity is a societal, not just an individual problem, and demands a population-based, multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary, and culturally relevant approach.
If we look at these facts, from health point of view then we could say that health situation is likely to crumble down very soon around the globe.
Therefore, hard measures are required to be taken otherwise situation would turn out irremediable, exposing kids to several life threatening heath problems that might stick to them lifelong.
Via: BBC
